Combined fertilizer-distributer and seeder.



GOMBINED PBRTILIZER msTaIBUTER AND SBEDER.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. l, 1910.

Patnted Sept. 2'?, i919.

8 SHEETS-SHEET l.

i Zi 5 W/T/VFSSES INVENTOR W. J. ADAMS. COMBINED PBRTILIZBR DISTRIBUTERAND SEBDBR.

APPLIUATION FILED APR.1,1910. u @Vjggge Patente@ Sept. 2'?, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WIT/V 55555 /NVENTO VV. J. ADAMS. COMBINED FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTER ANDSEEDER. APPLIGATION FILED 1 1a.1,191o.

@H939 Panama@ sept. 2?, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

UNEF@ STATS PATEN EQ..

WILLIAM JAMES ADAMS, OF COCHRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINED FERTILIZER-DISTRIBUTER AND SEEDER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, limitait J. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cochranton, in the county of Crawford and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCombined Fertilizer-Distributers and Seeders; and do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in combined fertilizerdistributers and seeders.

l he main and primary object of the present invention is the provisionof a machine which is so constructed as to provide at low cost areliable implement designed for spreading on land, lime, plaster, guano,ashes, compost., or other similar fertilizing material, the constructionof the machine being' such as to adapt it also for sowing broadcast in areliable and effective manner oats and other coarse grains.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter mentioned the working parts of which are located whollyoutside of the box or receptacle which carries the material to bedistributed, whereby the material is prevented contacting with any ofsaid parts, and rust or corrosion, which frequently interfere with thefree and easy working of similar devices wherein the working parts arelocated in the box or receptacle, are avoided.

The present invention further contemplates the provision of a machine ofexceedingly simple construction, by which but a minimum number of partsare necessary. This renders the machine light in weight, and, therefore,easily transported, and enables the machine to be made of more thanordinary width, thus permitting ground to be covered at a. rapid ratewithout unduly exerting the team.

The invention also seeks to provide a novel construction of box orreceptacle for the material to be distributed having features ofconstruction which insure complete emptying of the box or receptacle.

lith these general objects in view, and others which will appear as thenatui'e of the improveineiits is better understood, the inventionconsists substantially in the novel construction, combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illus- Specificationof Letters Patent.

Application filed April 1, 131).

Patented Sept. 27, 4910.

semi No. 552,858.

trated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the drawings-Figure l is a front elevation of a combined fertilizerdistributer and seeder constructed in accordance with and embodying theprinciples of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof.Fig. 3 is an end elevation, the wheels being removed. Fifi'. 4 is atransverse sectional view on the line 4 4, Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a similarview on the line 5-5, Fig. l. F ig. 6 is a fragmentary plan viewillustrating the manner of connecting the tongue or draft pole to theaxle of the machine. F ig. 7 is a detail elevation of one of the endbearings. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale,of the lower end of the box or receptacle, the line of section beingtaken through one of the adjusting rods by which the degree of movementof the shaker board is regulated.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral l designates the box orreceptacle for the material to be distributed. Preferably, this box isformed of wood, but any other suitable material may be employed.

The box l is in the form of a` hopper, comprising end pieces 2; a front3, and a back 4. It will be noted that the end pieces 2 are providedwith converging edges, said edges extending from the lower edges of thefront- 3 and back 4 to a point some distance below the lower edges ofthe front and back, and arranged between said depending portions of theends 2 is a stationary back board 5, a shaker board 6 being hingedlyconnected to the lower edge of the front 8 but of sullicient width toextend beyond the lower edge of the back board 5. The latter and theshaker board 6 constitute the bottoni of the box or receptacle l, and byreason of the hinged connection, illustrated at '7, of the shaker boardG this board is movable relatively to the back board in order to providea discharge opening' between said back board 5 and the shaker board (3.It is between these boards that the material to be distributed ispermitted to gravitate.

ln order to regulate the degree of movement of the shaker board G inrelation to the back board 5, adjustingrods 8 are employed. Any numberof these may be used, but two of these will suilice. These rods are in`the form of bolts the heads of which are arranged at the outside of theshaker board 6, suitable openings 9 of suflicient size being formed inthe shaker board G to permit the latter freely moving on said adjustingrods. The threaded ends of these rods are provided at their extremitieswith adjusting nuts 10 which take against angle clips 11 suitablyconnected to the back board 5, as by screws or bolts, and arranged uponthe adjusting rods 3, at the underside of said clips 11, are lock nuts12 through the medium of which, when the adjusting rods 8 have beenmoved to the desired position, the adjusting rods are held lockedagainst movement to the angle clips 11. Surrounding the adjusting rods8, adjacent their heads, are washers 13, which washers are interposedbetween the heads of the rods and the outer surface of the shaker board6, and these washers serve to prevent the heads of the adjusting rodswearing upon the shaker board. It will thus be seen that the shakerboard 6 is capable of free movement on the adjusting rods S, both towardand away from the lower edge of the back board 5, but the washers 13 andthe heads of said rods limit the movement of the shaker board 6 in anoutward direction. Hence, according to the adjustment of the rods 3 isthe degree of opening between the shaker board 6 and the back board 5regulated, and by adjusting the nuts 10 and 12 the rods S may be somoved as to position the shaker board 6 nearer to or farther from theback board 5.

Then the device is employed as a fertilizer distributer the fertilizerwill usually remain in the box or receptacle unless the shaker board 6is being agitated. By reason of this, even though the space between theshaker board 6 and the back board 5 may be fully open, as when themachine is at rest, the fertilizer will not be distributed, but thereare conditions under which it is desirable to effect a closure of thisspace, without the necessity of drawing the shaker board 6 intoimmediate contact with the back board 5, as by the operation of theadjusting rods 8. An instance of such conditions is when the device isbeing employed for distributing or sowing grain.

If it be desired to refill the box or receptacle 1, there being a smallproportion of grain remaining, the adding of the grain to that alreadyin the box has a tendency to push the grain in the bottom of the boxthrough the discharge opening. In order to close this opening at thistime, a shutter 1l is arranged at the outer side of the back board 5,being suspended on hooks 15, or their equivalent, carried by said backboard. Normally, this shutter, which is in the form of an angle iron,hangs away from the back board 5, and uncovers the lower edge thereof.To close the discharge opening the shutter 14 is swung into contact withthe back board 5, whereby the lower flange of the shutter is alsobrought into contact with the shaker board 6, as illustrated by fulllines in Fig. 8, and when swung to this position it is obvious that thedischarge opening of the box or receptacle 1 is wholly closed, and thecontents thereof prevented passing therefrom.

To sustain the shutter 14 in closed position a pivoted catch 16 iscarried by the back board 5, which catch, when swung to a substantiallyvertical position, projects at its end over the vertical flange of theShutter, and in this position holds the latter closed. lVllen, however,the catch 16 is disengaged from the shutter 1/1 the shutter again swingsaway from the back board 5, and uncovers the discharge opening of thebox or receptacle 1. If desired, the shutter 14 may be provided with ahandle 17 to facilitate its movement.

That the box or receptacle 1 may be properly strengthened, stay bolts 1Sextend from the front to the back thereof, and similar bolts 19 are alsoconnected to the back board 5 and the front board 3, whereby to hold theback board 5 in rigid position. The box or receptacle 1 is also providedwith a screen 20, which may be of any suitable construction, this screenbeing positioned in the upper portion of the box 0r receptacle, andserving to prevent foreign substances passing down through the box orreceptacle with the fertilizer or grain to be distributed. The box orreceptacle 1 is also provided with a suitable cover 21', which ispreferably hinged to the body.

1n order that the shaker board 6 may be properly actuated to agitate thecontents of the box or receptacle, and cause the same to freelygravitate, a plurality of cams 22 is employed. These cams are carriedby, and rigidly connected to, an axle 23 upon the ends of which bearingwheels 24 are mounted. rlhe wheels are so connected to the axle 23 as tocause the latter to rotate when the wheels rotate, and the box orreceptacle 1 is mounted in such relation to the axle 23 that the cams 22will contact with the shaker board, when the latter is properly moved byadjusting the rods S to form the discharge opening at the bottom of thebox. Obviously, as the cams rotate the same contact with the shakerboard G,agitatingthe latter, and causing the board to move toward andfrom the lower edge of the back board 5. rl`he cams 22 work upon wearstrips 25, which strips are arranged transversely of the shaker board Gat points immediately opposite to said cams. Consequently, the jar ofthe shaker board upon the cams is taken up by these wear strips.

Each of the box ends 2 has mounted thereon a bearing casting 26, whichcastings are each provided with a sleeve 2?, said sleeves receiving theends of the axle 23, and projectiiig forwardly from said sleeves 27 areperforated lugsgQS, for a purpose to be presently explained. By reasonof the end castings 2G, it will be seen that the axle 23 has no directconnection with the box or receptacle l, but passes through the sleeves27 of said castings, and it will also be noted at this point that noneof the working parts of the machine are within the box or receptacle l,being wholly at the exterior thereof. This prevents contact of thematerial within the box with these vorking parts, and obviously preventsdeterioration of or injury to said parts because of such contact.Therefore, the working parts are free fr in rust or corrosion whichcommonly arises where the working parts of fertilizer distributers arein position to be contacted by the fertilizing material.

To transport the hereiiidescribed machine a tongue or draft pole 29 isemployed. This tongue projects forwardly from the axle 23, and isarranged substantially at its central portion. To connect the tonguewith the axle the former is provided at its rear end, and at its sides,with parallel straps 30, said straps being bolted at their forward endsto the tongue, but provided with perforations at their rear ends throughwhich the axle 23 passes. To hold the tongue 29 at the middle portion ofthe axle Q3, the inner' cams 22 are so positioned upon the axle as to bein close proximity to the straps 30. inasmuch as these cams are fixed tothe axle Q3, it will be seen that the tongue 29 is precluded movingalong the axle.

Laterally-extending brace rods 3l are also connected to the tongue 29,the outer extremities of said rods being bent and engaging theperforated lugs 2S carried by the end castings 2G. These bent ends ofthe brace rods 3l are held in said perforated lugs by spring cotters 32.A brace 33 is also connected to the tongue 29) and the front board 3 ofthe box, and arranged at the underside of the tongue is a draft strap34-, the rear end of which is bent upwardly and bolted to a block 35arranged at the outside of the back board 5. By reason of the brace rods31 and and the draft strap Q5, it will be evident that the strainincident to transportation of the machine. will be evenly distributed,the draft being applied to the rear side of the box or receptacle l, aswell as to the end castings 2G, thus precludingthe draft being centeredupon the axle 23 at the point of connection of the straps 30 therewith.

In the operation of the herein-described machine, the n'iatei'ial to bedistributed, whether it be fertilizer or grain, is introduced to the boxor receptacle l, the screen Q0 preventing foreign substances passingbeyond the point where it is applied in the box. Tf the shaker board Gis in contact with the back board 5, the adjusting rods S ai'e properlymanipulated to position the shaker board at the point which shallconstitute the limit of the outward movement of the shaker board fromthe back board 5. This determines the degree of the discharge opening.As the machine moves forwardly the cams 29 work upon the wear strips 25,causing a rapid vibration of the shaker board, and thereby compelling`the material to pass downwardly thereon. So long as the machine is inmovement this agitation of the shaker board 6 continues. If theconditions require only temporary closure of the discharge opening, theshutter l-l is swung against the back board 5 and the shaker board (S,and locked in such position, and it will therefore he seen that thisprecludes the necessity of adjustment of the rods 8. However, byproperly manipulating the nuts l0 and 12 the adjusting rods 8 may bedrawn upwardly through the angle clips 1l, thereby raising the shakerboard (l into contact with the back board 5, and holding the shakerboard in such position. This locks the shaker board against the backboard, preventing the cams 22 acting upon the shaker board, and enablingthe machine to be transported without causing discharge of the materialfioin the box or receptacle l. Tn other words, when the shaker board isso positioned, the machine is out of gear.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a shaker hoard arranged at one side thereof and movable relativelythereto, means for actuating said shaker' board, and adjustablesupporting means arranged at the side of the hopper opposite to theshaker board and upon which said shaker board is mounted for movement,said supporting means coperating with said shaker board for controllingthe position of the shaker board in relation to said actuating means.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a shaker board arranged at one side thereof and movable relativelythereto, means for actuating said shaker board, and adjustablesupporting devices arranged at the side of the hopper opposite to theshaker board and upon which said shaker board is mounted and freelymovable, said supporting devices cooperating with said shaker board forcontrolling the position of the shaker board in relation to saidactuating means.

in a machine of the class described, the ctunbination with a hopper, ofa. shaker boai'd associated therewith and movable relatively thereto.means for actuating said shaker board, and headed adjusting devicescarried by the hopper, said shaker board being mounted upon saidadjusting devices but limited in its movement thereon by the heads ofsaid devices.

4C. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a shaker board associated therewith and movable relatively thereto,means for actuating said shaker board, and adjusting devices carried bythe hopper and connected to said shaker board :t'or controlling` theposition ot the shaker board in relation to said actuating means, andthereby regulating the discharge of the material from said hopper, saidshaker board freely movable upon said adjusting devices.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a shaker board hingedly-connected thereto, means for.

actuating said shaker board, an adjusting rod upon which said shakerboard is supported and freely movable, and means for adjustablyconnecting said rod to said hopper.

6. In a machine of theclass described, the combinationV with a hopper,of a shaker board .hingedly connected thereto, means for actuating saidshaker board, a headed adjusting rod upon which the shaker board ismovably mounted but limited in its movementby the head of said rod, andmeans for connecting` said rod to said hopper.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a shaker board hingedly connected thereto, means for actuating saidshaker board, an adjusting rod upon which said shaker board is freelymovable, a clip for connecting` said rod to said hopper, and meanscarried by said adjusting rod and cooperating with said clip to permitadjustment of said rod.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopperhaving inclined sides, one ot said sides being movable, of means at theexterior of the said hopper for actuating said movable side, and anadjustable rod associated with said movable side :tor supporting andadjusting the latter in relation to the hopper for controlling thedischarge ot' the contents therefrom.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a shaker board associated therewith and movable relatively thereto,means for actuating said shaker board, and a swinging shutter carried bythe hopper and cooperating with the shaker board to close the hopperagainst discharge of its contents.

l0. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a shaker board associated therewith and movable relatively thereto,means for actuating said shaker board, a shutter carried by the hopperand cooperating with the shaker board to close the hopper againstdischarge ot its contents, said shutter being normally out of contactwith said shaker board, and means for holding the shutter in contactwith the shaker board.

l1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,said hopper having an inclined side, of a shaker board hingedlyconnected to said hopper and coperating with said inclined side tocontrol the discharge ot the contents from the hopper, means carried bysaid inclined side and upon which said shaker board is mounted and heldin movable relation to said inclined side, and means tor actuating saidshaker board.

l2. In amachine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,said hopper having an inclined side, of a .shakerboard hingedlyconnected to said hopper and coperating with said inclined side tocontrol the discharge ot' the contents from the hopper, an adjusting rodcarried by said inclined side and upon which said shaker board ismounted and held in movable relation to said inclined side, and meansfor actuating said shaker board.

13. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,said hopper having an inclined side, of a shaker board hingedlyconnected to said hopper and cooperating with said inclined side tocontrol the discharge of the contents from the hopper, an adjusting rodcarried by said inclined side and upon which said shaker board ismounted and held in movable relation to said inclined side, and a camdevice for actuating said shaker board.

142 In a machine ot the class described, the combination with a hopper,said hopper having an inclined side, oitl a shaker board hingedlyconnected to said hopper and cooperating with said inclined side tocontrol the discharge or' the contents from the hopper, an adjusting rodcarried by said inclined side and upon which said shaker board mountedand held in movable relation to said inclined side, a cam device foractuating said shaker board, and a wear strip carried by the shakerboard and upon which said cam device works.

l5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a shaker board hingedly connected thereto for ei'Iecting discharge ofthe contents of the hopper, a supporting device carried by the hopperand upon which said shaker board is adapted to slide, an axle upon whichthe hopper is mounted, and means carried by said axle for actuating saidshaker board.

1G. In a machine ot the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a shaker board hingedly connected thereto for eiect ing discharge ot'the contents of the hopper, a supporting device carried by the hopperand upon which said shaker board is adapted to slide, an axle upon whichthe hopper is mounted, and a cam device carried by said aXle foractuating said shaker board.

17. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a hopper,of a hinged shaker board arranged at one side thereof for effectingdischarge of the contents of the hopper, a supporting device arranged atthe opposite side of the hopper and engaged with said shaker board, thelatter being mounted for limited movement on said sup-V 19. In a machineof the class described, the combination with a hopper, oi a hingedshaker, board arranged. at one side thereof for eli'ecting discharge ofthe contents of the hopper, said shaker board eoperat-ing with theopposite side of the hopper to close the latter, a `supporting devicearranged on the hopper at a point opposite thev shaker board and withwhich thelattier is engaged, said shaker board being mounted for limitedmovement on said supporting device, means for actuating said shakerboard, and a shut ter carried by t-he hopper and cooperating with theshaker board to close the hopper when the shaker board is at the limitof its movement rin one direction.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature, in the presence of twoWitnesses.

VILLIAM JAMES ADAMS. lVitnesses ROBERT C. CURTIS, JOHN L. Ax'riinn.

